13 schools that need our help: One year later

One year ago the RGJ took a look at 13 Washoe County Schools that were failing and needed help. Corbett Elementary was at the bottom of the list. We check in at the school to see how things have changed.
Liz Margerum

A year ago, the Reno Gazette-Journal did a three-part series on the lowest-ranked elementary schools in the Washoe County School District. Since then, the school district, state and community have rallied behind many of the schools with support, volunteers, creative approaches and, in some cases, new leadership.

During breakfast at Sun Valley Elementary School, you will find 650 students writing in black-and-white composition books.

New this school year, everyone from the prekindergarten class to the new principal writes for at least the first 15 minutes a day. Decorated with pictures of families, pets and sports teams are notebooks filled with stories about soccer, birthday parties and tough home lives.

At Anderson Elementary, a ceremony held four times a year to honor students is packed with proud parents and grandparents. Pictures of students with their awards line the entrance of the school.

Walk into a classroom at Mathews Elementary and you will see groups of students reading. They read aloud, whispering the text. As if an orchestra with a conductor, they raise their voices slightly one by one when it's their turn to be the focus of the teacher's attention.

And at Stead Elementary, when a student does better on an assessment than the goal set by the teacher, his or her name is read over the loudspeaker during morning announcements. Recently, when a student was absent, she asked for it to be read again so she could hear it.

There are dramatic changes happening at Sun Valley, Anderson, Mathews and Stead elementary schools and the rest of what were the district's lowest-ranked schools.

"Walk into some of these schools and you can see a major culture shift," area superintendent Debra Biersdorff said. Biersdorff was assigned this school year to focus on most of the lowest-ranked elementary schools the Reno Gazette-Journal profiled in a series a year ago.

Meet the students at the top and bottom ranked elementary schools in Washoe County school district. Despite the different rankings, the students want the same things -- to dream big and grow up to do those things.
Liz Margerum/RGJ

Most of those schools struggled with high numbers of children living in poverty, still learning English and without permanent homes.

But change and accountability were coming, vowed Washoe County School Superintendent Pedro Martinez.

Changes started in January 2013, when Martinez revealed a star rating for every school. He came out with the first rankings based on 2011-12 data in the middle of the school year as a way to educate the community about ratings. Results since then, and from now on, will be released every fall based on the previous tests from the end of the school year. Star rankings for this school year are expected in September.

Schools are ranked on how many students are at grade level in reading, math and science and for the growth they make getting more students to grade level. Factored into the ranking, from one to five stars, is how schools are doing with students still learning English, with disabilities and from different ethnic backgrounds.

On the district's first ranking, 38 of 89 schools received four or five stars, and 38 received three stars. The lowest-ranked schools district-wide were 13 elementary schools, one of which received only one star.

But a year later, with more support, there is a lot to be excited about, Martinez said.

Many schools are seeing results from assessments that measure whether a student is working at grade level, but the real proof will come from end-of-year state tests being given to students now.

The district will release its third performance framework in the fall. It will be a good measure of how new leadership, cleaned-up buildings, aggressive home visit programs and school sessions during fall, winter, spring and summer breaks have worked.

"I think we are showing the community that we are not going to tolerate one- or two-star schools even if we have to make tough decisions," Martinez said.

No excuses

Martinez said there are no longer excuses allowed for schools. He pointed to Alice Maxwell Elementary, which had been led by Principal Denise DuFrene. The school in Sparks was the second-highest performing high-poverty school in the state.

DuFrene was part of a large change in leadership this school year. She took over Corbett Elementary, the only one-star school when the first ranking was released.

"The students and staff are energized and so engaged in the work," DuFrene said about Corbett.

Preliminary data show that the number of Corbett students not proficient in reading or math has fallen by 30 percent since DuFrene took the helm.

"Teaching is collaborative," DeFrene said on her leadership approach. "We rely on each other for the success of all of our students. Every staff member has a core belief that every student can and will achieve."

Corbett is one of the 28 schools with new principals this year. Seven of the 13 one- and two-star elementary schools have new principals.

"We did not make changes lightly," Martinez said of moving principals at schools that are not performing well. "In some cases, I got pushback, but it is so important to have the right leaders in these buildings."

Biersdorff was tasked with overseeing 11 of the district's lowest-ranked schools in an "acceleration zone." Next year, two schools are being added to the acceleration zone, a group of 12 elementary schools and one high school identified as needing fast turnarounds because of low student performance.

Under the acceleration zone, 10 elementary schools were given more resources that included extra staff, access to more detailed data and money to run school programs during fall, winter and spring breaks. All will run summer programs targeting about 100 students at each school.

Schools were each given at least one additional staff person, including a training specialist on-site to work with teachers. Also, each school used between $5,000 and $30,000 in additional district funds for staff training, technology and reading, math and science materials.

Zoom schools

Six of the lowest-performing schools were also given additional state funds under a program instituted by Gov. Brian Sandoval. The schools, called Zoom schools, have high numbers of students still learning English. Corbett, Anderson, Duncan, Loder, Mathews and Veterans elementary schools received a combined $3 million this year in Zoom funds. Next year, $4 million will be split among the Zoom schools.

The money went to fund prekindergarten classes and instruction sessions during school breaks, and expand full-day kindergarten and reading programs. Schools had some flexibility on how they could use money that best met the needs at each school.

"Because we are a Zoom school, we have been able to fund three teacher assistants who are providing support to our primary students in literacy," Duncan Principal Susan Kehoe said.

All of the lowest ranked schools are also Title I schools and receive about $500 additional per students in federal funds for having 70 percent or more of students living in poverty.

Libby Booth Elementary, which has high rates of transiency and students living in homeless shelters, added a social worker and three supervised interns with the resources. About one-third of the children at Booth do not have permanent homes.

Next year, the hope is an additional position at Booth, funded through a grant, can help families get connected to community resources, including counseling, food, clothing and medical treatment.

Tough home lives are a daily part of all of the lowest-ranked schools.

At Stead Elementary School last week, staff was working with the family of a kindergartner who has attended five schools this year.

Biersdorff said schools are happy to help with challenges as they arise but are now better trained to direct families to resources, leaving more time to focus on instruction.

"Our district is getting better and better at this," Biersdorff said. "We work hard to educate our school administrators, teachers and support staff members about available resources and the expectation that our schools are welcoming environments that support learning."

Community pitches in

The community has also stepped in to help.

New Life Christian Center opened a free after-school tutoring program for Booth students.

At Warner Elementary, Principal Don Angotti said donations of food and gift baskets for the holidays and clothing for needy students has opened up time for staff to focus more on learning.

"We are able to get families what they need," Angotti said.

The Reno South Rotary Club members recently cleaned the playground, planted flowers and pulled weeds at Corbett.

Lisa Marie Lightfoot, the district's volunteer coordinator, said people came forward when news spread about struggles at the lowest-ranked schools.

Some dropped off checks at schools. One donor gave $2,600 to help a school start a training program for parents. Dozens signed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters to mentor children at the 13 schools. A few groups collect books throughout the year — one distributes thousands to children at the lowest-ranked schools before breaks.

Lightfoot said the district has worked well with groups that want to volunteer and has trained groups at several of the schools.

Martinez said the enthusiasm from the community and at the schools is working.

"For our community, I want them to know I'm hearing more and more from parents who are starting to see the changes," Martinez said.

"I really believe as a group these schools are going to do very well," Martinez said about upcoming assessments and next fall's release of the district's third performance framework.

"Teachers are excited to see test results, and although test results aren't everything, it is tangible evidence that the changes we are making are real."

Walters, of Sun Valley Elementary and one of the seven principals in their first years at the lowest performing schools, started the 15 minutes of devoted writing at her school every day.

"It is not the only writing that takes place," she said. "Students write in every subject, every day."

"My students need to know that they will break my heart if they are not doing the best they can to be successful," Walters said.

Most of the schools also instituted data nights for families and increased the number of home visits.

Cannan Principal Kelly Humphreys said home visits have helped the school build relationships.

She and two teachers recently visited a home of three students.

"We visited with the family, the students got to show off their room to us, and I beat everyone on the Wii 'Dance Off,' " Humphreys said.

THE 13 SCHOOLS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

Corbett Elementary School

1901 Villanova Drive, Reno

Ranked the lowest school in the district in 2011-12, Corbett made gains. It improved a few points, rising to a two-star school, but the real proof of its turnaround is expected in the fall when the data from this year under new Principal Denise DuFrene is released. DuFrene was tapped to take over the school a year ago. She was recently named the Elementary School Principal of 2014 by the school district and will compete against others in the state.

This year, the school worked to align teaching practices so students in each grade level would have the same learning environments. Teachers specialized to work with English language learners are embedded in a grade level.

Leadership/resources: New Principal Denise DuFrene. The school is a Title I school, part of the acceleration zone and a state Zoom school.

Anderson Elementary School

1055 Berrum Lane, Reno

Ranked one of the lowest-performing schools in the district, receiving 36 out of 100 points when the ratings were first released, the school made a big jump to a three-star school the second year. Before school started, new Principal Joe Ernst and staff visited the home of every student. The school has regular assemblies to honor students for academic achievements. Attendance improved dramatically when staff began knocking on doors of students who do not show up and calling to check on absent students.

Leadership/resources: New Principal Joe Ernst. The school is a Title I school, in the acceleration zone and is a state Zoom school.

Mathews Elementary School

2750 Elementary Drive, Reno

Ranked two stars during the 2011-12 year, the school didn't move much on the rankings the next year, but new Principal Heidi Gavrilles is expected to clean things up.

Gavrilles literally cleaned up the school when she arrived, enlisting the district for maintenance help. She has also been eager to meet with parents and has addressed parent concerns involving pick-up and drop-off areas for students. A main focus this year was targeted reading groups, dividing students up by levels.

Leadership/resources: New Principal Heidi Gavrilles. The school is Title I and part of the district's acceleration zone.

Warner Elementary School

3075 Heights Drive, Reno

The school didn't make gains from 2011-12 to 2012-13 but is expected to under its new principal, Don Angotti. He has focused on instruction and aligning to Common Core, which are new rigorous education standards. The school also focused on technology and purchased iPad minis and notebooks as well as home visits and its partnerships with volunteers. Big Brothers Big Sisters and a Foster Grandparent program have both grown this year.

Leadership/resources: New Principal Don Angotti. The school is Title I and part of the district's acceleration zone.

Natchez Elementary School

Wadsworth

Although the school received two stars in 2011-12, it was one of the higher-ranked elementary schools the following the year, earning 74 out of 100 points. The school struggles with a 30 percent special education student population. Principal Rick Taylor said resources have been cut in recent . The school board recently held one of its meetings at Natchez, where trustees listened to concerns from the community. The school has also gone without a permanent special education teacher for three years and is currently using a substitute who is not a certified teacher.

Leadership/resources: Principal Rick Taylor has been at the school for 10 years. The school is a Title I school. Working with tribes on the Pyramid Lake Reservation, the school has been creative with how it has funded other programs. An extra teacher in kindergarten was used to help in fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Using a grant, Taylor was able to hire two aides from the tribe to help in kindergarten.

Sun Valley Elementary School

5490 Leon Drive, Sun Valley

Although the school slipped slightly from the 2011-12 to 2012-13 rankings, the district said the school is likely to show gains in the fall. Principal Prim Walters took over this year and is an ideal fit, the district said. She instituted a mandatory morning writing session for students and staff. The school also made progress integrating technology into classrooms.

Leadership/resources: New Principal Prim Walters. The school is Title I, part of the acceleration zone and will be given state Zoom school funds in 2014-15.

Libby Booth Elementary School

1450 Stewart St., Reno

The school that deals with one of the toughest transient rates in the district made slight gains from 2011-12 to 2012-13. Returning Principal Sara Cunningham brought in a specialist to focus on pre-K through third-grade interventions as well as one to work on supporting staff with Common Core standards. The school also arranged schedules so teachers could plan lessons together. Consistent support from the district's truancy officer also helped improve attendance.

Leadership/resources: Principal Sara Cunningham returned. The school is Title I and part of the acceleration zone.

Stead Elementary School

10580 Stead Blvd., Reno

The school in Stead will likely be one of the first to leave the acceleration zone. Although ranked two stars in 2011-12, the school made great progress, jumping 27 points the following year. Principal Yuen Fong has created a detailed master schedule where teachers are given time to plan lessons by grade together.

Leadership/resources: Principal Yeun Fong was one of six principals that stayed at his school after the first ranking was released. The school is Title I and part of the acceleration zone.

Elmcrest Elementary School

855 McDonald Drive, Reno

One of the lowest-ranked elementary schools, Elmcrest dropped dramatically from 2011-12 to 2012-13. It is now one of three one-star elementary schools.

Leadership/Resources: Elmcrest will be included in the acceleration zone in 2014-15. The district also named Ann Marie Dickson principal. Dickson said her strengths of developing relationships will have a positive effect on student performance. The school receives Title I funds.

Echo Loder Elementary School

600 Apple St., Reno

The school showed slight improvement from 2011-12 to 2012-13. Academic parent-teacher teams were implemented. The program gives parents a chance to meet with teachers to set goals. The school will have three conferences with every parent before the school year is finished.

Leadership/Resources: Principal Dina Ciaramella returned. The school is Title I, part of the acceleration zone and a state Zoom school.

Duncan Elementary School

1200 Montello St., Reno

The school focused on student growth, and teachers are examining data to monitor progress. Both an English language arts specialist and math coach have helped teachers with rigorous lesson plans. The school showed a 14 percent growth in math based on recent assessments. The school also offered 20 hours of training to parents on how to help children with math and reading support.

Leadership/Resources: Principal Susan Kehoe returned. The school is Title I, part of the acceleration zone and a state Zoom school.

Veterans Elementary School

1200 Locust St., Reno

The school made good growth from 2011-12 to 2012-13 and is now ranked a three-star school. Midway through the year, the school made changes to resources and allocated more support staff in classrooms. The school also encourages students to show up 30 minutes before school to read books.

Leadership/Resources: New Principal Jenni Anderson. The school is Title I, part of the acceleration zone and a state Zoom school.

Cannan Elementary School

2450 Cannan St., Reno

Although ranked two stars in 2011-2012, the school was not put into the district's acceleration zone. The school slid slightly the following year but has a new principal this year. The school is doing more professional development and coaching and giving feedback to teachers. The school also implemented project-based learning, and staff says there is more student engagement and rigorous instruction. The school has reached out to its community partners to support literacy. The school also reached out to families and had 55 percent of students' parents or family members help at a school event during the year.

Leadership/Resources: New principal Kelly Humphreys. The school receives Title I funds.

RGJ.COM/HELPFORSCHOOLS

Read the original reports on 13 schools that need our help.

How to help

What: The district anticipates needing 500 volunteers for intense summer sessions being offered at most of the lowest-performing elementary schools

Where: Locations include Veterans, Corbett, Mathews, Duncan, Loder, Anderson, Allen, Bennett, Cannan, Elmcrest and Lemelson elementary schools. Other locations will be announced soon as programs are finalized. There are also several high schools looking for summer volunteer help.

When: Morning and some afternoons from June 16 to July 26

To volunteer: Call 775-348-0346 or email services@washoeschools.net. Volunteers will have to fill out an application and undergo a background check.